Page 108 of The Gathered Fragments of Us
"Yes. From what I've heard today, you've both been through quite an ordeal. I know you mentioned that a lot has changed, and we can't really get there in good time today. So I want to see what we can do to make sure that walking through today's trauma doesn't become your sole focus for the next week, after leaving here."
I asked, a little hesitantly, "Okay, what do you have in mind?"
"Today is Thursday. Before you go to sleep tonight, and every night until our session next week, I want you to do something—no phones, no TV, no kids interrupting, no distractions." Nodding at our hands clasped together, "since you don't seem to have an issue with touch, I'd like to keep that as an anchor for you. I'd like for the both of you to sit with each other, hold hands, and ask each other three questions."
We both responded at the same time with, "okay."
"Caden, your questions are: How did you feel about our relationship today? Was there a time when I wasn't there for you today when you needed me? Was there anything today that I did that made you happy or feel seen?"
Caden pulled his phone out and took them down in his notes section, looking up at the Doctor and saying, "I promise to have them memorized and not to have my phone out during our time."
Dr. Mitchell smiled and responded with, "Nicely done, Caden."
From there, she continued, "Felicity, your questions are: How did you feel about our relationship today? Was there a time you felt like I wasn't being open with you about my own feelings or response to something? Was there anything that I did today that helped you see me or how I felt about our relationship?" Just as Caden had, I took the notes on my phone and made the same promise he did, smiling as I did.
"That sounds manageable," I said, though even the thought of going through this exercise every night felt slightly overwhelming.
"The key is consistency and openness. I want you both to keep in mind that while these questions may feel like yes/no questions, they are meant as dialogue openers, so while you'll respond withyes or no, you should both plan to expand uponwhythe answer is yes or no," she said.
After we both agreed, Dr. Mitchell proposed we do weekly meetings for the next two months and reevaluate after that. We both found that to be reasonable.
Walking out to the car, I felt like we'd just turned our entire emotional life inside out and examined every piece.
"That was intense," Caden said, starting the engine.
"Yeah. But good intense?"
"I think so. It felt like... like we were being honest about everything for the first time."
We drove in silence for a few minutes, both processing.
"You know what struck me in there?" I said finally.
"What?"
"How much we've both changed already. Before all of this unfolded, I never would have been able to say those things about feeling invisible and unloved. I would have just... swallowed it."
"And I would have gotten defensive and made it about how hard I work instead of hearing what you were actually saying."
"But we didn't do that today."
"No, we didn't."
As we pulled into our driveway, I could see through the kitchen window that Maliyah was cooking dinner while the kids set the table. Normal family life, continuing on while we'd been dissecting our marriage and putting it back together stronger.
"Ready to go back to real life?" Caden asked.
"With our homework assignment and everything?"
"Especially with our homework assignment."
I looked at our house, warm with light and filled with the people we loved. "Yeah. I'm ready."
As we walked into the house, Caden paused and reached into his pocket. Pulling it out, he showed me the caller ID flashed Morrison's name.
Answering with the phone on speaker, he said, "Morrison, everything okay? You've got me and Felicity here."
“Hi Caden, Felicity. Sorry to call unexpectedly, but I wanted to let you know Jessica’s been moved out of Framingham."
